Homeland Security

The attacks of September 11, 2001, forced us to change the way we think about national security and how we protect our country here at home. Unfortunately, there have been numerous reminders in the United States and abroad that the threat of another terrorist attack is still very real. The emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the continued threat from al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations present real threats to our national security and the security of our allies. Encrypted communications and financial support from countries like Iran have permitted non-state actors to persist despite significant efforts to disrupt and defeat terrorist organizations wherever they seek safe harbor.

In addition to terrorist threats, the U.S. must also guard against malign influence and cyberthreats from countries like Russia, China, and North Korea. As your U.S. senator, I strive to make sure our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement officials are provided with the tools they need to fight the war on terror and prevent further attacks against U.S. citizens. As long as there are forces in this world who oppose the democratic ideals on which our country was founded, we must remain vigilant as a nation in striving to preserve liberty and stand up to aggression.